Submitted by Elarionus t3_10snbjb in headphones
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Elarionus OP t1_j73nwme wrote
I normally go every 6 months, but my appointment got pushed back, so it's been 7 months now. I just didn't think it affected sound that much aside from volume alone. Just thought it was a volume dampener and a source of ear pain, not an alteration of sound quality.
I do have some devices left with a headphone jack...very few, but I'll get some music playing on those and see if I can't swap it back and forth fast enough to determine if it's really an issue. Annoying, on my phone, plugging in headphones to the dongle triggers Google Assistant, which pauses the music.
23Conflagration32 t1_j74kr89 wrote
Interesting! I never had to clean my ears so good to know when its coming
Hmm I have the same phone as you (6a right?) and I use an apple dongle. I'll check my m50x with it and my normal dac + see if it also opens the Google Assistant tomorrow
Good luck man!
23Conflagration32 t1_j77d17p wrote
Checked it! Sounded the same for me However when I removed the dongle the music started over te speakers, thats different
TagalogON t1_j73b642 wrote
Try a legit Apple dongle, as in don't buy it from Amazon as there's fake/mixed up/etc. stock in the warehouses. Like buy it from a physical (Apple) store in real life.
Like search up the ridiculous situation with microSD cards on Amazon. They mix the third party storefronts and official Amazon stock all the time. It's so sad and so it's better to buy things like microSD cards from Best Buy or a physical store/retailer. As otherwise you'd get fake microSD cards and all that.
For the ~$10 Apple dongle, just note the reduced power if it's the EU version, or the apps needed on Android to bypass Android's DAC/etc. system in order to get the best capabilities.
No need to really spend more than that, but look into well-reviewed dongles with physical volume control if you think you need an amp/DAC/etc.
Here's a bit more info on dongles (with physical volume control) and static/hissing/buzzing/et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/100lh5a/dac_for_new_mb_asus_and_new_headphone/j2icwxm/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/zn88xs/help_on_iems_pc_usage/j0fns20/
But yes it could earwax/etc. clogging up the filter and nozzle of the IEM. See here for how to maybe fix it: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/yzkk5e/how_to_remove_ear_wax_from_iem_without_damaging_it/ix13bpo/
Basically use 90+% isoprophyl alcohol but make sure the IEM nozzle is facing down as you don't want alcohol to get inside and possibly damage the coating/drivers/etc. behind the nozzle/filters/etc. And then wait several minutes for it to dry, better to wait an hour or so for near certainty that everything is dry.
Look into the AZLA SednaEarfit MAX Standard if you want to maybe delay/prevent those earwax/moisture/etc. issues. AZLA SednaEarfit MAX Standard is basically the only silicone ear tip that has an integrated wax guard. Some foam ear tips have that, see the black Shure Olives foam ear tips.
Here's more info on the AZLA SednaEarfit MAX Standard: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/vi0pwb/azla_xelastec_vs_crystal_eartips_for_xm4/igcqyuf/
Here's more info on how to avoid/delay the condensation issues with the Olina, Chu, or most IEMs that have condensation issues: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/uznoqi/my_chus_broke_after_a_day_of_use/iadlxz5/. This has more info on the Moondrop Spring ear tips.
Basically for the future, just use a clean paper towel or microfiber cloth and wipe your ear tips and IEMs after each use. That should prevent/delay the clogging/condensation/etc. issues. It's just a problem with certain IEMs, more so the ones with metal outer shell designs. And if you live in a humid area or produce a lot of body heat.
More info on ear tips like TRI Clarion that help with vocals, soundstage, et cetera, and also parametric EQ: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/10hhn0g/i_dont_notice_a_sound_difference_between_the/j58iozt/
More info on AZLA SednaEarfit XELASTECs durability and foam ear tips too: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/zvmj9g/azla_sedna_earfits_tips_durability/j1pxvdz/
Here's a bit more info on ear tips: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/10lly6d/how_to_make_sense_of_iem_tip_fit/j5xnyv2/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/10k210n/alternative_tips_for_aria/j5o2f8q/
This is how you should use Etymotics or really any IEM or TWS earbud to make sure you have that good/perfect fit for that vacuum seal (necessary for the bass to be properly produced): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KwXEqe6Gq4
Try Etymotics, they beat top of the line ANC from Sony/Apple/Bose/etc. The noise reduction/isolation is great, make sure to use Comply P foam ear tips or Comply T(x)100 foam ear tips before giving up.
Etymotics and drumming: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/10jz2i4/iem_for_electric_drum_practice/j5njm0l/
More info on noise reduction/isolation with Etymotics and drumming: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/10ia8xe/as_a_drummer_i_need_help_with_iem_suggestions/j5do38b/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/10ia8xe/as_a_drummer_i_need_help_with_iem_suggestions/j5dp366/
Earwax, hearing health, et cetera with Etymotics and other bullet style IEMs: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/10iwqmt/does_insertion_depth_affect_volume/j5ifw7r/
Elarionus OP t1_j73m9c1 wrote
Alright, I'll have to give it a shot the next time I'm in a city with an Apple store. Nearest one is almost 5 hours from me. Or I could ship it. I'm still worried about them falling apart, as Apple's track record with cords has been the most pathetic thing I've ever seen.
I was more talking about wax buildup within my ear canal. I normally go and get it vacuumed out every six months, as it takes about 5 months for me to build a 100% blockage. I'm at 7 months right now, and my appointment is in two weeks, so maybe that'll fix it. I'm just surprised that it sounded so much worse all of a sudden.
You might be right though, it might be time to look for alternative IEMs. I checked out Crinacle's list for both IEMs and headphones, and they get surprisingly expensive. I didn't even know some of those price points existed. I did see some Etymotics for about $110 that I think would be pretty good, and they would still fit under the giant ear protection headphones I wear. Thanks for the tips!
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23Conflagration32 t1_j72ndq1 wrote
Okay so I am not really a pro in these kind of things, but the first ideas that come to mind are:
- check the sound quality from another source (then you know it's not the dongle)
- check if you didn't accidentally equalise it in your app?
- maybe you know someone with similar headphones/iems?
- maybe just get your ears cleaned, if you think you have a high chance of earwax stuck in your ears. I have some friends who go almost yearly, so it could very be that you are correct with that idea. If they sound like underwater it could very well be that your ears are just full. Because it goes slowly, you don't notice it with your normal hearing
BONUS: I also have the m50x, but the pads broke down, so I bought new ones and they sounded a lot better with these! (now planar boi tho)